Cerro Sechín

Cerro Sechín is a pre-Columbian archaeological complex in the Casma Valley of the Ancash Department in northern Peru, associated with the Sechín cultural tradition. The site is notable for its large stone sculptures and carved stone slabs that form a prominent exterior frieze.

The best-known feature is a long, low stone façade carved with human figures and scenes that include armed figures and mutilated bodies; these carved slabs form the most visited and photographed part of the site. The complex also contains earthen platforms and foundations that mark its ceremonial and administrative functions.

Archaeological study attributes the site to the Sechín cultural tradition of the pre-Columbian era; the complex was constructed and reused over generations as a ceremonial centre. Excavations and conservation work have exposed the carved stone panels and structural remains and established the site as an important example of north-coast pre-Inca architecture.

The site sits in the lower Casma Valley near the town of Casma on Peru’s north-central coast. It is on inland valley terrain rather than atop a coastal bluff, and is accessed by road from the regional centre.

• Carved frieze viewing: The main carved stone façade is the site's most distinctive element and is best viewed in direct daylight when relief details are clearest.
• Access: Located in the Casma Valley, it is easily reached by road from the town of Casma and can be visited as a half-day trip from there.